Recommended Lifetime on Tandem Components

Uninsured United Parachute Technologies has established a recommendation of the "lifetime" of tandem canopies and other components:

Suspension Lines: 350 - 500 jumps

F-111 Main Canopy: After 600 jumps, or if porosity level exceeds 12 CFM

ZP Main Canopy: 1400 - 1600 jumps (Depends on environment)

Drogue Centerline: 300 jumps

Drogue Assembly: 600 jumps

Harness / Container: Inspection every 25 jumps

Harness / Container: 1000 jumps

Main Risers: 600 jumps

Replace old RSLs with brass shackle & welded pins

Mandatory Recertification

For information on mandatory Reserve Canopy recertification, see this document.

These recommendations are based on years of observing tandem malfunctions and equipment failure reports. Tandem system owners should maintain a log for each component mentioned above. Different geographical areas present problems that can contribute to accelerated wear-n-tear. (such as Dz's located near salt water and sand) Due to this fact, certain components may degrade quicker than the above recommended lifetimes.